Countdown to swearing-in: Chuck Colson headlines prayer breakfast

Chuck Colson, who turned his stint behind bars for his role in the Watergate conspiracy into a prison reform movement, headlined an across-the-board faith breakfast to kick off Gov.-elect Rick Scott’s swearing in at noon.

Colson, a minister, was among the religious leaders, including a priest, a rabbi, and an Imam from Jacksonville, who gave their blessing and guidance to Scott and Lt. Gov.-elect Jennifer Carroll and their families.

Colson called today’s political atmosphere “ugly” and said it is “worse than Watergate.”

He praised Scott’s commitment to reforming the state prison system and he offered the Biblical parable of Solomon’s prayer to God when given one wish as a guide to governance for Scott, who’s never held office before.

“Give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong,” Colson recounted.

Scott, hoarse from a week of photo ops and parties celebrating the inauguration, said that he, too, hoped to be like Solomon.

“He didn’t take riches…He took kindness…He wanted a discerning heart, to make the right decisions,” Scott said. “Being governor’s not being the king but…I hope that I do that for the next four years.”